“Silk Road Centurion makes for compulsive reading due to its many colorful characters and twisting plot points. This book is not only the product of detailed historical knowledge, but is finely written as well.” – Taipei Times
When Roman soldier Manius Titinius falls into the clutches of a nomadic warband, his forced march to the Chinese frontier plunges him into a new world of wonder and peril. Manius escapes captivity through the help of a Chinese family. In their village he grapples with the slippery language, learns a new way of life from a feisty child, and undergoes medical treatment by the healer Kang, her remedies as biting as her wit.
Gradually he forges a new life among the Chinese – only for his former captors to track him down and attack. Amid a grueling siege, daring rescue mission, and a hunt across the boundless steppe to save someone dear to him, the displaced Roman discovers a new meaning of family and of home.
“A riveting action-packed novel that is an ambitious attempt at imagining the meeting of two great civilizations.” – Asian Review of Books
“A grand adventure I simply couldn’t put down. Crawford’s equally adept at stirring martial moments and calm ones that paint societies and the complex webs they weave over individuals. Compelling and powerful, it’s a testament to heroism, loyalty, and brotherhood. One of the finest things I read all year.” – Howard Andrew Jones, author of The Desert of Souls and Lord of a Shattered Land
REVIEW
A compelling read that transported me to a time and place that made me feel as if I were there. The author has crafted a tale of brutal suffering, enchanting cultural differences, vengeance despite the odds, bonds forged by oaths, and love. I ventured into this book curious as to how a Roman Centurion was going to fare among people so different in a land completely foreign to him. I needn’t have worried. Each phase of Manius’ journey was filled with masterful plots brimming with detail, and mind-steeped emotional turmoil. So, my fellow readers, prepare for a breathtaking trek into the steppes and feel the wind as you gallop through the pages. 5 STARS
Exile – A living death to a Roman AD 395. In a Christian Roman Empire, worshipping the traditional gods is a death sentence. Three Romans, Maelia, Lucius and Galla, faithful to their beliefs in Rome’s thousand-year religion and values, must choose. Do they stay, hoping for the best, or leave Rome forever – a rupture from everything they know – to search for a safer life?Maelia Mitela, her dead husband condemned as a pagan traitor, leaving her on the brink of ruin, grieves for her son lost to the Christians and is fearful of committing to another man.Lucius Apulius, ex-tribune, faithful to the old gods and fixed on his memories of his wife Julia’s homeland of Noricum, will risk everything to protect his children’s future.Galla Apulia, loyal to her father and only too aware of not being the desired son, is desperate to escape Rome after the humiliation of betrayal by her feckless husband.For all of them, the only way to survive is exile.Sequel to JULIA PRIMA (Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice). Set at the dusk of the Roman Empire, the origin story behind the modern Roma Nova thriller series”EXSILIUM offers serious food for thought with this page-turning adventure of twelve determined families fighting to salvage their ancient culture in the face of a newly Christianized Roman Empire. In this origin story poised on the jumping-off point from recorded history into Morton’s Roma Nova series, Morton upends the historical novel trope of persecuted Christians in a thought-provoking look at what happens when any single religion becomes dominant over its competition.” – Amanda Cockrell writing as Damion Hunter‘Alison Morton proves she is a master of her craft with EXSILIUM, the engrossing story of two Roman families fighting for survival as the society and culture that has nurtured them for generations disintegrates before their eyes. Her research and knowledge of the period is evident on every page, but delivered with the deftest of touches. As darkness closes in and they decide to flee the all-consuming clutches of a dangerous new fanaticism, the reader is swept along with the characters every step of the way – Douglas Jackson, author of Gaius Valerius Verrens (Hero of Rome) series“Morton skilfully threads this greater history into the personal plight of Roman families who choose exile to preserve their customs and religion. EXSILIUM concludes the gripping genesis story of the Roma Nova thrillers for new readers and established fans alike.” – Elisabeth Storrs, author of A Tale of Ancient Rome series
REVIEW
Now, that is a prequel. Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the modern-day Roma Nova books, I always had this thought in the back of my mind…how did it begin? Well, now we know, and this tale, is quite simply, brilliant. Rome had been invaded before, but the foes always left. Not this time. The Christian Faith, with the full blessing of Rome’s rulers, has conquered and is staying. Centuries of worshipping the old gods are now illegal. Faced with this crisis, the author has constructed a tale of woe and self-imposed exile for those who refuse to abandon their gods. It is a gripping tale full of nasty plot twists that will keep you glued to the pages. It is a tale of bravery and hardship and is the perfect fit for the coming of age of Roma Nova. 5 STARS
Author Bio:
Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her ten-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. The latest, EXSILIUM, plunges us back to the late 4th century, to the very foundation of Roma Nova.
She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history.
Alison now lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity and Double Pursuit.
Riddle of the Gods is the riveting fourth novel in the best-selling series chronicling the life and adventures of one of Norway’s most controversial kings, Olaf Tryggvason. It is AD 976. Olaf Tryggvason, the renegade prince of Norway, has lost his beloved wife to a tragedy that turns the lords of the land he rules against him. With his family gone and his future uncertain, Olaf leaves his realm and embarks on a decades-long quest to discover his course in life. Though his journey brings him power and wealth, it is not until he encounters the strange man in the streets of Dublin that his path to fame unfolds. And in that moment, he is forced to make a choice as the gods look on – a choice that could, at worst, destroy him and at best, ensure his name lives on forever.Praise for Riddle of the “If you want to experience the Viking Age as it really must have felt, then read this book. I know of few novelists who can transport you there with greater skill and accuracy than Eric Schumacher. A gripping, intelligent novel of the Viking world.” – Theodore Brun, historical fiction author”Full of rousing battles and journeys over land and sea, Riddle of the Gods sees the protagonists strained and broken in ways not encountered in the earlier volumes.” – Rowdy Geirsson, Viking author”A truly well-written book which has the reader gripped and yearning for more.” – Stacy Townend, historical fiction author
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 25, 2024
REVIEW
A riveting tale from start to finish. The battle between the Old Gods and the New Christianity takes the protagonists on unexpected paths. An emotional roller coaster, especially for Torgil, the reader is immersed in the attitudes and customs of the time. Changes that fuel the author’s plotline keep the reader glued to the pages. Having enjoyed the previous books in the series, I was even more impressed with this evocative tale. Kudos to the author. 5 Stars
Venture deep into the uncharted wilderness and crest the continental divide.
Stay with the Wagons is the enthralling third chapter in the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series. Dorcas Moon has discarded her mourning dress and yearns for freedom and independence amidst the vast frontier. But a perilous world and a commanding wagon master keep her tethered. Ultimately, it’s a brutal bout of fever and ague that confine her to camp.
Relentless disasters and beguiling challenges unfold in this installment. A young man is crushed beneath a wagon wheel. Dorcas’ son breaks an arm, a grizzly bear attacks the wagon train, and the looming threat of attacking outlaws whips the emigrants into a worried frenzy. How many must perish before they reach the end of the trail?
As chaos reigns, her troubled daughter, Rose, disappears once again, leading Dorcas on a perilous quest. Tracking Rose to a sacred site, they encounter a blind seer and a legendary leader, Chief Washakie. Rose’s enchantment with Native American adornments sparks Dorcas’ concern about an unexpected suitor and raises worries about Rose’s age.
Stay with the Wagons is bursting with action, adventure, and survival. It is a story of resilience and empowerment on the Oregon Trail.
Claim your copy now and re-immerse yourself in a tale of high-stakes survival, unexpected alliances, and the indomitable spirit of Dorcas Moon.
Buy Links:
This title / series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.
An epic, spellbinding Viking fantasy of blood and battle, weaving together history, fantasy and ancient myth. Perfect for fans of The Northman and Game of Thrones. Byzantium, 718ADThe great siege is over. Crippled warrior, Erlan Aurvandil, is weary of war. But he must rally his strength to lead a band of misfit adventurers back to the North, to reclaim the stolen kingdom of his lover, Lilla Sviggarsdottir. For this, they need an army. To raise an army, they need gold. Together they plot a daring heist to steal the Emperor’s tribute to his ally. Barely escaping with their lives, they voyage north, ready for the fight. But when fate strands them in a foreign land already riven by war, Erlan and Lilla are drawn inexorably into the web of a dark and gruesome cult. As blades fall and shadows close in, only one thing for them is certain: a savage moon is rising. And it demands an ocean of blood.
REVIEW
Have you ever read a book where the action is so vividly portrayed, or the emotions are so deeply ingrained in each ebb and flow of the story, that you have to put it down for a moment, so you can process what just happened while your heartbeat returns to normal? A Savage Moon is such a tale. A taut, torturous tale, and the author has filled it with remarkably creative plot lines to keep the reader guessing. Definitely a good read, even if it does keep you turning pages when you should be sleeping. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They’ve had sixteen years of peace, but all things must end.
Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become men.
It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.
For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.
A new age dawns on the men of the Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it.
331 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2024
Review
Heart-pounding storytelling, my peeps, and fellow readers. An attention grabber from the get-go that never relents. Characters are fleshed out and tested to their limits…an excellent sequel that will keep you guessing, but never bored, sleep deprived perhaps, but never bored. 5 Stars
After a devastating tragedy, Dorcas Moon faces brutal choices in the unforgiving wilderness.
An unsolved hometown murder casts a foreboding shadow over the journey. Mounting responsibilities weigh heavy on Dorcas’ shoulders while navigating the trail along the Platte River. Family, friends, and neighbors can’t seem to get along without her help.
The gruesome trail exacts a heavy toll. A sweeping grass fire blazes across the prairie. A doomed wagon careens down a treacherous hill. A fellow traveler is gored to death while hunting buffalo. Each disaster pushes the pioneers to the brink. Amidst the chaos, Dorcas grapples with the realization that she must dump her precious cook stove and her husband’s massive safe. The oxen can no longer haul the heavy weight of unnecessary cargo.
When her daughter mysteriously disappears while the wagons are at Fort Laramie, Dorcas Despairs. She is desperate to help her daughter when the troubled youth is found in the arms of a Brulé man in Spotted Tail’s village.
Secure your copy of Lighten the Load and delve into an unforgettable saga of empowerment, sacrifice, and the haunting echoes of the American frontier. Rejoin Dorcas Moon on the adventure of a lifetime as she confronts the challenges that shape her destiny.
Buy Links:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.
The second book in the series, like the first, holds nothing back from the oft-times perilous trek across the rivers and prairies. The high hopes of the pioneers for starting a new life in Oregon, are now just hopes that they will survive the journey. The physical and emotional toil takes its toll on all; especially Dorcas. Still mourning Larkin’s death, and the target of rude gossip about the way she comports herself. A strong woman who shares the grief of others, but who also feels weakened by her thoughts about Agapito, Dorcas struggles to hold her family together. There’s still a long way to go, and I’m sure the author has more struggles for her yet to come. 5 Stars
When I return to our wagon to launder dirty clothes, Andrew and Christopher complain that they can’t find Rose. They were hoping to leave Dahlia Jane with their sister, but Rose is missing, again. I ask Larkin where Rose is, and he throws his arms up as if aggravated about being asked. “I’m sure that she’ll turn up when she’s done being wherever she is. That’s how children are.”
Ignoring Larkin, I step into the wagon master’s camp and ask if they’ve seen Rose. Arikta tells me that he saw her about an hour ago. He points to the southwest and says she was walking along Cottonwood Creek. The serious-looking scout grows even more intense. “I can track her for you.”
Recalling the proper hand signals, I put my hands flat in front of me, palms down, and move them together in a downward arc away from me. Arikta smiles and says, “You are welcome, Dorcas.”
If I weren’t concerned about my missing daughter, I would enjoy walking with Arikta along the creek bed. Every so often, he stops and shows me a sign that she has passed by. His trained eye doesn’t miss the broken twigs and parted grasses that show where someone has been. After an hour, he points at an odd-looking structure above the creek’s bank. “There,” he says.
A giant, twenty-five-foot-high mound of earth stands above us. Arikta says, “My people live in these earth lodges. This one is abandoned. Do you think that Rose would go inside?”
I nod. That’s exactly where I expect to find Rose. There is a short tunnel in front of the earth mound, also made of dirt. The mouth looks like a doorless entrance with long sticks propped against both sides.
We climb the creekbank, and Arikta tells me to wait. He scampers to the top of the mound. Then he flips a rigid cover from its summit and returns to my side. He looks at me and says, “Let’s go in, Dorcas.”
I’m amazed by what we find inside. A beam of bright light pours through the hole at the peak of the mound. Rose kneels on an animal skin in front of a circle of stones, a fire pit with no smoke or flames. She nods her head to the beat of an unheard drum. I say her name, but she doesn’t seem to hear me. I’ve come to expect such odd behavior from her. I breathe deeply, feeling like a trespasser.
Arikta whispers as if he doesn’t want to disturb Rose. “My family lived here many years ago.”
I look at him, place a hand on his arm, and then look around the structure. Giant timbers form a square, like support beams, around the fire circle. Red, white, black, and yellow painted posts support a roof constructed of timbers that radiate around the structure. Behind those long poles, woven saplings hold back the dirt outside. Blankets hang around the perimeter above what looks like sleeping chambers. I think the earth lodge looks occupied rather than long abandoned.
Arikta whispers. “A lot of people lived here before the smallpox epidemic.”
“I’m so sorry, Arikta. Thank goodness you survived.”
“Yes. We were away, hunting buffalo when everyone here died. Very sad. We buried their bones when we returned.”
Rose stands and walks around the structure. As she pauses beside each compartment, she pulls back each blanket as if listening to people behind the drapes before moving to the next. When she finishes, she returns to the center, stands in the middle of the fire circle, looks directly through the hole above, and spreads her arms wide.
Then she drops her arms, slapping her sides. She looks around, sees us, and says, “What is this place?”
Arikta answers her. “This is a Pawnee earth lodge, Rose. It was my family’s home.”
She says, “You have a nice family, Arikta.”
Rose turns to face the exit and walks through it, returning the way she came, along Cottonwood Creek. It seems like she has forgotten that we are following her. Arikta and I look at one another, shrug, and follow Rose into camp.
My review of AGEM:
A Grave Every Mile
Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail – book 1
I’d been looking forward to this series ever since the author mentioned he was working on an Oregon Trail series. There were several reasons for my anticipation; first and foremost among them is the simple fact that I am fascinated with this period of American history. Also, I was curious as to how the author would carry over the spiritual/mystical elements in his other works concerning the main characters in this series. I was also interested in the portrayal of the day-to-day events in a wagon train; the daily trudging mile after seemingly endless mile; the toil, the pains, the insects, the remains of those who died, the unexpected vagaries of the weather. Well, my fellow readers, I am happy to report that the author has masterfully set us on our journey. A Grave Every Mile takes you walking alongside those wagons, makes you feel the sun, the rain, the howling wind, and the incessant insects and allows you to hear that blasted trumpet reveille every morning. It is a full immersion into what it took to make that trek told in an engaging tale. I love the characters; I love the daily plotlines; I love the way the author integrates that spiritual/mystical family element.
It is a long trip, my fellow trekkers and the beginning of it has shown us that there is much toil ahead; much joy ahead; but also much sadness. 5 Stars
Author Bio:
David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.
Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses.
AD 1044. All eyes are on the marriage of Beatrix de Hautville to Armand de Mortain. The union could calm a tense political situation in a young, illegitimate nobleman called William is vying for the ducal throne, and making plenty of enemies along the way. One of these is Beatrix’s elder brother, Serlo, and it is hoped the joining of the two families will cool his anger. Halfdan and the wolves of Odin are bound for stormy political seas. Will they be able to navigate the currents, or will they be drawn into a brutal family feud? Packed with political machinations in the pursuit of power, this adventure is perfect for fans of Giles Kristian.
REVIEW
The master storyteller like that master shipwright Ulfr, has crafted another dragon-ship of a tale. Tense, dramatic, heart-pumping action keeps you focused, keeps you trusting in the song of the volva; the threads of the Norns transport you to the time and place. But, let’s face it, any tale featuring a rather large albino berserker just has to be read for the sheer entertainment. Well done, Simon. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail – book 1 by David Fitz-Gerald
REVIEW
I’d been looking forward to this series ever since the author mentioned he was working on an Oregon Trail series. There were several reasons for my anticipation; first and foremost among them is the simple fact that I am fascinated with this period of American history. Also, I was curious as to how the author would carry over the spiritual/mystical elements in his other works concerning the main characters in this series. I was also interested in the portrayal of the day-to-day events in a wagon train; the daily trudging mile after seemingly endless mile; the toil, the pains, the insects, the remains of those who died, the unexpected vagaries of the weather. Well, my fellow readers, I am happy to report that the author has masterfully set us on our journey. A Grave Every Mile takes you walking alongside those wagons, makes you feel the sun, the rain, the howling wind, and the incessant insects and allows you to hear that blasted trumpet reveille every morning. It is a full immersion into what it took to make that trek told in an engaging tale. I love the characters; I love the daily plotlines; I love the way the author integrates that spiritual/mystical family element.
It is a long trip, my fellow trekkers and the beginning of it has shown us that there is much toil ahead; much joy ahead; but also much sadness. 5 Stars
Historical Fiction reviews 